A liquid separation system

Abstract

The application provides a liquid separation system, which belongs to the technical field of medical devices. The liquid separation system comprises a first conveying device, a second conveying device, a sub-tube transfer device, a pipetting device and a controller. The first conveying device is provided with a first conveying part, which is used for transferring a mother sample module into the first conveying device or transferring the mother sample module in the first conveying device out. The second conveying device is provided with a second conveying part, which is used for transferring a carrier into the second conveying device or transferring a sub-sample module from the second conveying device. The second conveying device has a sub-tube loading position and a liquid discharging position. The first conveying device has a liquid suction position. The controller is in communication connection with at least the first conveying part, the second conveying part, the sub-tube transfer device and the pipetting device. The liquid separation system provided by the application realizes two independent conveying devices, avoids track blockage caused by the increase of total sample amount after liquid separation, and ensures the liquid separation efficiency and smoothness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a liquid dispensing system. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of medical devices, automated dispensing systems, also known as sample dispensing and processing systems, are key functional instruments in laboratory automation systems. Their main task is to automatically and accurately dispense samples (serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, etc.) from original sample tubes (such as blood collection tubes) into one or more secondary sample tubes, in order to solve the problem of low efficiency caused by the need for the same original sample tube to be sent to multiple testing instruments for different tests.

[0003] In existing automated liquid separators, the primary and secondary sample tubes are arranged in a specific order to designated positions via a conveyor device, and then the liquid separation operation is performed. However, arranging the primary and secondary sample tubes in a specific order takes a considerable amount of time and is prone to waiting situations. When the total sample volume is large, the conveyor device often becomes clogged, resulting in low transmission efficiency, which in turn affects the efficiency and smoothness of liquid separation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a liquid separation system.

[0005] This application provides the following technical solution: a liquid separation system, comprising: A first conveying device is used to convey a master sample module. The first conveying device is provided with a first material transfer section, which is used to transfer the master sample module into the first conveying device or to transfer the master sample module out of the first conveying device. A second conveying device is used to transfer an empty carrier and a sub-sample module. The second conveying device is provided with a second material transfer section, which is used to transfer the carrier into the second conveying device or to transfer the sub-sample module out of the second conveying device. The second conveying device is at least partially close to the first conveying device. The sub-sample module includes the carrier and the sub-tube; the second delivery device has a sub-tube loading position and a liquid dispensing position; the first delivery device has a liquid aspiration position. A sub-tube transfer device is disposed above the sub-tube loading position, and the sub-tube transfer device is used to place the sub-tube into the carrier; A pipetting device for performing a dispensing operation, the dispensing operation including transferring a parent sample from the parent sample module to the sub-sample module, the pipetting device having at least one pipetting section; The controller is communicatively connected to at least the first material transfer unit, the second material transfer unit, the sub-tube transfer device, and the pipetting device; The controller is used to acquire the liquid separation information of the mother sample module, control the pipetting device to aspirate the mother sample from the mother sample module located at the aspiration position, and transfer it to the sub-tube of the sub-sample module located at the dispensing position; the controller is also used to control the second transfer unit to transfer the sub-sample module that has completed the liquid separation operation from the second transfer device after at least one sub-sample module at the dispensing position has completed the liquid separation operation, and control the mother sample module to remain at the aspiration position until all the sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample module have completed the liquid separation operation, after which the first transfer unit transfers the mother sample module from the first transfer device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the liquid suction position is provided with a first stop, the liquid discharge position is provided with a second stop, and the liquid discharge position is close to the liquid suction position; Before the pipetting device performs the dispensing operation, the controller is used to control the first stop to block the mother sample module and control the second stop to block the daughter sample module; After the pipetting device completes the dispensing operation, the controller is also used to control the first stop to release the mother sample module and control the second stop to release the daughter sample module.

[0007] In some embodiments, the liquid dispensing system further includes a clamping device, the clamping device having at least one first clamping position, the clamping device being disposed at the liquid suction position, the clamping device being located upstream of the first stop member along the transmission direction of the first conveying device, and the clamping device having a clamping state and an unfolded state. In the clamping state, the clamping device clamps and fixes the mother sample module; In the unfolded state, the clamping device releases the mother sample module.

[0008] In some embodiments, the clamping device includes a lifting assembly; In the clamping state, the lifting component provides a supporting force to the mother sample module in a first direction away from the first conveying device, thereby lifting the mother sample module away from the first conveying device in the first direction. In the unfolded state, the mother sample module falls back onto the conveying device under its own gravity.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first conveying device has a first transmission section, and the liquid suction position is located in the first transmission section; The second conveying device has a second transmission section, and the liquid discharge position is located in the second transmission section; The first transmission segment is close to the second transmission segment and is parallel to the second direction. The liquid aspiration position and the liquid dispensing position are arranged along a third direction, and the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first conveying device is provided with a sample recognition unit, which is located on the side of the clamping device away from the first stop member. The sample recognition unit and the first stop member are spaced apart to form a first buffer area, which is used to buffer the mother sample module. When the mother sample module enters the first conveying device, the controller is used to control the sample recognition unit to block and recognize the mother sample module; After the sample recognition unit completes the recognition of the parent sample module, the controller controls the sample recognition unit to release the parent sample module.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the clamping device is provided with at least two first clamping positions, after the sample identification unit releases the mother sample module, the controller is also used to trigger a timer to start timing. Within a first preset time after the timer is triggered, and when each of the first clamping positions corresponds to one of the sample modules, the controller controls the clamping device to switch to the clamping state, simultaneously clamping at least two of the sample modules; if the first preset time has elapsed, and at least one of the first clamping positions does not correspond to the parent sample module, the controller controls the clamping device to switch to the clamping state.

[0012] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to acquire and record the identification information of the parent sample module that enters the first buffer, and before controlling the sample identification unit to release the parent sample module, acquire whether there are parent sample modules waiting to be grouped in the first buffer; If there are parent sample modules waiting to be grouped in the first buffer, then the parent sample modules waiting to be grouped are paired with the parent sample modules to be released, and the sample identification unit is controlled to release the parent sample modules. If there are no waiting parent sample modules in the first buffer, the sample identification unit is controlled to release the parent sample module and the timer is triggered. If no waiting parent sample modules enter the first buffer after the first preset time has elapsed, pairing is stopped.

[0013] In some embodiments, when the pipetting device has at least two pipetting sections and at least two of the mother sample modules in the first conveying device need to be separated, the controller is further configured to acquire the pairing information of the mother sample modules. When the pairing information exists, the controller controls the sub-tube transfer device to alternately place multiple sub-tubes corresponding to the mother sample modules on the corresponding carriers according to the arrangement order of the mother sample modules, so as to form multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample modules, and controls multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample modules to alternately enter the second conveying device. The controller is used to control the pipetting device to simultaneously transfer the mother sample from at least two of the mother sample modules to the corresponding multiple sub-sample modules.

[0014] In some embodiments, the dispensing system further includes a sub-tube preparation device for printing labels and affixing the labels to the sub-tubes; The sample recognition unit is used to identify the sample information of the parent sample module; The controller is also configured to obtain the liquid separation information of the mother sample module based on the sample information of the mother sample module, wherein the liquid separation information includes printing information and liquid separation quantity information; The controller is also configured to control the sub-tube preparation device to configure a corresponding number of sub-tubes according to the liquid separation quantity information, print the label according to the printing information, and paste the label onto the corresponding sub-tube; The controller is also used to control the sub-tube transfer device to place the labeled sub-tube onto the carrier to form the sub-sample module.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sub-tube loading position is disposed in the second transmission segment, and the second stop and the sub-tube loading position are spaced apart along the second direction to form a second buffer area, which is used to buffer the sub-sample module.

[0016] In some embodiments, the pipetting device has a first liquid absorption volume and a second liquid absorption volume, wherein the first liquid absorption volume is greater than the second liquid absorption volume; L1 is the sum of the liquid volumes to be separated in the multiple sub-sample modules located at the dispensing positions, corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position; The controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations when one of the following three conditions is met: When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and at least one sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position is being transferred to the dispensing position, if the sum of the dispensing volume of the at least one sub-sample module transferred to the dispensing position and L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, then after at least one sub-sample module arrives at the dispensing position, the controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspiration operation and the dispensing operation. When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and no sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position is sent to the dispensing position, the controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspiration operation and the dispensing operation. When L1 is greater than the first aspirated volume, the controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspirate operation and the dispensing operation.

[0017] In some embodiments, when L1 is greater than the first liquid absorption volume; If, during multiple aspiration operations performed by the pipette, the aspiration volume is less than the second aspiration volume at least once, the aspiration volume of the pipette is adjusted so that the aspiration volume of the pipette in each operation is greater than the second aspiration volume.

[0018] The embodiments of this application have the following advantages: By setting up two independent conveying devices, namely a first conveying device and a second conveying device, with the first conveying device having a first material transfer section and the second conveying device having a second material transfer section, the mother sample module enters the first conveying device through the first material transfer section, and the mother sample module after liquid separation is transferred out of the first conveying device through the first material transfer section. The empty carrier enters the second conveying device through the second material transfer section, and the sub-sample module after liquid separation is transferred out of the second conveying device through the second material transfer section. That is, the carrier and the mother sample module enter the first and second conveying devices through different inlets, and the sub-sample modules and the mother sample module after liquid separation are transferred out through different outlets, realizing two independent conveying paths. This avoids the waiting and congestion problems caused by scheduling the mother sample module and the sub-sample module to the same conveying device in a certain order in the prior art. It also avoids the blockage of the conveying device caused by the increase in the total sample volume after the mother sample in the mother sample module is liquidated into multiple sub-sample modules. This improves the transmission efficiency of the first and second conveying devices and enhances the liquid separation efficiency and smoothness of the liquid separation system.

[0019] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This paper shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a liquid dispensing system provided by some embodiments of this application from one perspective; Figure 2 The diagram shows a partial structural diagram of a liquid separation system provided in some embodiments of this application.

[0022] Explanation of key component symbols: 100-First conveying device; 200-First material transfer section; 300-Main track; 400-Second conveying device; 500-Second material transfer section; 410-Sub-tube loading position; 600-Sub-tube transfer device; 700-Pipette device; 110-Liquid suction position; 800-First stop; 420-Liquid discharge position; 900-Second stop; 120-First transmission section; 430-Second transmission section; 1000-Sample identification section; 130-First buffer area; 440-Second buffer area; 1100-Clamping device; 1200-Third material transfer section.

[0023] Z - First direction; X - Second direction; Y - Third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0025] It should be noted that when an element is said to be "fixed" to another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is said to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. Conversely, when an element is said to be "directly" on another element, there is no intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0026] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "second" or "first" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the template description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this application provides a liquid dispensing system, which is mainly used to solve the waiting and congestion problems caused by scheduling the mother sample module and the sub-sample module to the same conveying device in a certain order in the prior art. At the same time, it avoids the blockage of the conveying device caused by the increase in the total sample volume after dispensing the mother sample in the mother sample module to multiple sub-sample modules. Therefore, it ensures the smooth transmission of the sub-tubes and the mother tubes and improves the transmission efficiency.

[0030] The liquid separation system is used in fully automated sample analysis pipelines (hereinafter referred to as pipelines). The pipeline generally includes a main track 300, a sample processor, and a sample analyzer. The main track 300 is used to transport empty carriers and carriers containing sample tubes between the sample processors and sample analyzers. The sample analyzer is used to analyze and detect the samples in the sample tubes. The sample processor is used to perform pre-analytical or post-analytical processing on the samples in the sample tubes. For example, pre-analytical processing includes liquid separation, which involves dispensing the mother sample from the mother tube into multiple daughter tubes, and then transferring the daughter tubes to different sample analyzers for analysis and detection, thereby improving sample detection efficiency.

[0031] In this embodiment, the liquid dispensing system includes a first conveying device 100, a second conveying device 400, a daughter tube transfer device 600, a pipetting device 700, and a controller (not shown in the figure). It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400 are each connected to the external main track 300, and the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400 are spaced apart. That is, the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400 are used for independent transmission, without affecting each other, to ensure smooth transmission, avoid blockages, and thus improve transmission efficiency.

[0032] The first conveying device 100 is used to convey the mother sample module. The mother sample module includes a carrier and a mother tube. The first conveying device 100 is provided with a first material transfer section 200. The first material transfer section 200 is used to transfer the mother sample module into the first conveying device 100 or to transfer the mother sample module out of the first conveying device 100.

[0033] Understandably, the first conveying device 100 is used to transport the mother sample module that needs to be separated. That is, when the mother sample module that needs to be separated, which is being transported on the main track 300, moves to the first material transfer section 200, the mother sample module on the main track 300 is transferred to the first conveying device 100 through the first material transfer section 200.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first conveying device 100 can also transmit the mother sample module after liquid separation to the first material transfer unit 200, and transfer the mother sample module after liquid separation to the main track 300 through the first material transfer unit 200.

[0035] For example, the first conveying device 100 is provided with a ring track, and the first material transfer part 200 is a rotatable guide rod structure or a turntable structure with a loading groove. The loading groove is adapted to the carrier design and is used to limit the carrier and guide the carrier to move. The first material transfer part 200 is disposed between the ring track and the main track 300 and is used to transfer the mother sample module into and out of the first conveying device 100.

[0036] The second transmission device 400 is used to transmit empty carriers and sub-sample modules.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second conveying device 400 is provided with a second material transfer section 500, which is used to transfer the carrier to the second conveying device 400.

[0038] For example, when an empty carrier transported on the main track 300 moves to the second transfer section 500, the empty carrier can be transferred to the second conveying device 400 by the second transfer section 500 so as to load the sub-tube into the empty carrier.

[0039] The second conveying device 400 is at least partially close to the first conveying device 100 to shorten the distance between the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400, thereby shortening the liquid transfer path of the pipetting device 700 between the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400 and improving the liquid transfer efficiency.

[0040] In addition, in this embodiment, the second material transfer unit 500 is also used to transfer the sub-sample module from the second conveying device 400. In some embodiments, the sub-sample module after liquid separation on the second conveying device 400 can be transferred to the main track 300 via the second material transfer unit 500.

[0041] For example, the second conveying device 400 is provided with a ring track, and the second material transfer part 500 is a rotatable guide rod structure or a turntable structure with a loading groove. The loading groove is adapted to the carrier design and is used to limit the carrier and guide the carrier to move. The second material transfer part 500 is disposed between the ring track and the main track 300 and is used to transfer an empty carrier into the second conveying device 400 and transfer out a sub-sample module.

[0042] Furthermore, by setting up independent first conveying device 100 and second conveying device 400, an empty carrier enters the second conveying device 400 through the second material transfer section 500, the mother sample module enters the first conveying device 100 through the first material transfer section 200, the sub-sample module after liquid separation enters the main track 300 through the second material transfer section 500, and the mother sample module after liquid separation enters the main track 300 through the first material transfer section 200. That is, the carrier and the mother sample module enter the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400 through different entrances. The system is set to 400, and the sub-sample module and the parent sample module, after liquid separation, enter the main track 300 through different outlets, realizing two independent transmission paths. This avoids the waiting and congestion problems caused by scheduling the parent sample module and the sub-sample module to the same transmission device in a certain order in the existing technology. It also avoids the blockage of the transmission device caused by the increase in the total sample volume after the parent sample in the parent sample module is separated into multiple sub-sample modules. This improves the transmission efficiency of the first transmission device 100 and the second transmission device 400, and enhances the liquid separation efficiency and smoothness of the liquid separation system.

[0043] The sub-sample module includes a carrier and a sub-tube, and the second transmission device 400 has a sub-tube loading position 410.

[0044] The sub-tube transfer device 600 is located above the sub-tube loading position 410 and is used to install the sub-tube onto the carrier.

[0045] For example, the sub-tube transfer device 600 may be a mechanical gripper or a robotic arm.

[0046] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the sub-tube loading position 410 is also provided with a third material transfer unit 1200. When an empty carrier enters the sub-tube loading position 410, the controller can control the third material transfer unit 1200 to fix the empty carrier in the sub-tube loading position 410, so as to ensure the stability of the carrier in the sub-tube loading position 410. The sub-tube is then installed on the carrier by the sub-tube transfer device 600 to form a sub-sample module. After the sub-sample module is formed, the controller controls the third material transfer unit 1200 to release the sub-sample module.

[0047] For example, the third material transfer unit 1200 may be a turntable structure with a loading groove, and the loading groove is adapted to the carrier design. The third material transfer unit 1200 is disposed on the second conveying device 400 for limiting the carrier and guiding the carrier to move.

[0048] The second material transfer section 500 of the second conveying device 400 receives empty carriers from the main track 300 and transfers them into the second conveying device 400. The second conveying device 400 then transfers the carriers to the sub-tube loading position 410. The sub-tube transfer device 600 then loads the corresponding sub-tubes into the carriers to form sub-sample modules. After the liquid separation is completed, the second material transfer section 500 of the second conveying device 400 finally transfers the sub-sample modules into the main track 300. Since the main track 300 carries and transports many empty carriers, the sub-tube transfer device 600 directly places the corresponding sub-tubes into the carriers. Compared with the prior art, which waits for the main track 300 to schedule carriers with designated sub-tubes into the conveying device, the above-mentioned sub-sample module preparation process is significantly faster and more efficient, improving the transmission efficiency of the sub-sample modules.

[0049] In this embodiment, the second conveying device 400 further has a dispensing position 420, and the first conveying device 100 further has a suction position 110. The pipetting device 700 is used to perform a separation operation, which includes transferring the parent sample from the parent sample module to the sub-sample module. The pipetting device 700 is provided with at least one pipetting section (not shown in the figure). It is understood that the pipetting device 700 is capable of transferring the parent sample from the parent sample module located at the suction position 110 to the sub-sample module located at the dispensing position 420. The number of pipetting sections can be one, two, or more, and can be specifically set according to the actual situation.

[0050] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the sub-tube loading position 410 and the second material transfer section 500 are spaced apart, and the second conveying device 400 is separated by the sub-tube loading position 410 and the second material transfer section 500 to form an interconnected carrier buffer section and a sub-tube transmission section. The transmission direction of the carrier buffer section is from the second material transfer section 500 to the sub-tube loading position 410 in the transmission direction of the second conveying device 400. Similarly, the transmission direction of the sub-tube transmission section is from the sub-tube loading position 410 to the second material transfer section 500 in the transmission direction of the second conveying device 400.

[0051] In this embodiment, the carrier is transmitted and buffered through a carrier buffer segment. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the carrier buffer segment is used to buffer a first preset number of carriers, where the first preset number is any value greater than or equal to two, and can be specifically set according to actual conditions; this ensures that when the sub-tube transfer device 600 needs to assemble a sub-tube onto the carrier at the sub-tube loading position 410, the carrier buffer segment has at least one carrier, thus ensuring the smoothness of the sub-tube transfer device 600 in performing the sub-tube assembly operation.

[0052] The controller is communicatively connected to at least the first material transfer unit 200, the second material transfer unit 500, the sub-tube transfer device 600, and the pipetting device 700, and is used to control the above components to cooperate in completing the transfer and dispensing operations of the sample module.

[0053] The controller is used to acquire the liquid distribution information of the mother sample module and control the pipetting device 700 to aspirate the mother sample from the mother sample module located at the aspiration position 110 and transfer it to the sub-tube of the sub-sample module located at the dispensing position 420, thereby realizing the automated and accurate distribution of the mother sample and improving the liquid distribution efficiency.

[0054] In addition, the controller is also used to control the second transfer unit 500 to transfer the subsample module that has completed the dispensing operation from the second transfer device 400 after at least one subsample module at the dispensing position 420 has completed the dispensing operation. It can be understood that in order to ensure the efficiency of sample transmission, the subsample module that has completed the dispensing can be moved out of the second transfer device 400 first. This avoids the situation in the prior art where, when the subsample module and the parent sample module are transmitted on the same transfer device, the parent sample module affects the subsample module and can only be moved out together after all the subsample modules have been dispensed. This effectively avoids the subsample module after dispensing being blocked on the second transfer device 400. Furthermore, when a subsequent failure occurs, such as a pipetting failure or a failure of the dispensing system, only the current and subsequent subsample modules to be executed are affected by the failure, and the subsample modules that have already completed the pipetting can be transmitted and analyzed normally.

[0055] The controller is also used to keep the mother sample module at the aspiration position 110 until all the sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample module have completed the liquid separation operation. Then, the first transfer unit 200 will transfer the mother sample module from the first transfer device 100, thereby avoiding the liquid separation interruption caused by the removal of the mother sample module in the middle, or the need to re-execute the liquid separation operation due to the liquid transfer failure, and ensuring that the liquid separation process is complete and reliable.

[0056] It should be noted that when a fault occurs during the liquid separation process, the controller marks the mother sample module located at the liquid aspiration position 110 and the corresponding sub-sample module located at the liquid dispensing position as errors, so that manual processing or automatic system troubleshooting can be performed. After the fault is resolved, the subsequent work can continue. Sub-sample modules that have already completed the liquid separation operation are not marked as errors, and they are transmitted and analyzed as needed to improve the success rate of sample detection.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown in some embodiments of this application, the liquid aspiration position 110 is provided with a first stop 800. The first stop 800 is used to fix the mother sample module before performing the liquid separation operation, so as to ensure that the mother sample module is no longer conveyed to the first material transfer section 200 by the first conveying device 100, thereby ensuring the accuracy and quality of liquid separation. After the liquid separation operation is completed, the mother sample module is released, and the mother sample module after liquid separation is transferred to the first material transfer section 200 by the first conveying device 100, and then transferred to the main track 300 by the first material transfer section 200.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first stop 800 may be a stop bar, a turntable with a carrier loading slot, or other structural forms that can prevent the carrier from continuing to move forward, and there is no limitation herein.

[0059] In addition, a second stop 900 is provided at the spitting position 420.

[0060] In some embodiments, the second stop 900 may be a stop bar, a turntable with a carrier loading slot, or other structural forms that can prevent the carrier from continuing to move forward, and is not limited thereto.

[0061] In this embodiment, the dispensing position 420 is close to the suction position 110. It should be noted that the dispensing position 420 and the suction position 110 are respectively located in the portions of the first conveying device 100 and the second conveying device 400 that are close to each other, so as to shorten the distance that the pipetting device 700 moves back and forth between the dispensing position 420 and the suction position 110 when performing the liquid separation operation, thereby improving the liquid separation efficiency.

[0062] In some embodiments, a pipette tip storage device is provided near the dispensing position 420 or the aspiration position 110. The pipette tip storage device is arranged along the third direction Y with the dispensing position 420 and the aspiration position 110 to shorten the movement path of the pipette device 700 during the process of picking up the pipette tip, aspirating, and dispensing, thereby improving the dispensing efficiency.

[0063] It should be noted that before the pipetting device 700 performs the dispensing operation, the controller is used to control the first stop 800 to block the mother sample module.

[0064] Additionally, the second stop 900 is used to fix the sub-sample module before the liquid separation operation, ensuring that the sub-sample module is no longer transported to the second material transfer section 500 by the second conveying device 400, thus guaranteeing the accuracy and quality of liquid separation. After the liquid separation operation is completed, the controller controls the second stop 900 to release the sub-sample module, and the second conveying device 400 transfers the separated sub-sample module to the second material transfer section 500, whereby the second material transfer section 500 transfers the separated sub-sample module onto the main track 300.

[0065] In addition, after the pipetting device 700 completes the liquid separation operation, the controller is also used to control the first stop 800 to release the mother sample module and control the second stop 900 to release the sub-sample module, so that the mother sample module after liquid separation is transferred out of the first conveying device 100 through the first material transfer unit 200 and the sub-sample module after liquid separation is transferred out of the second conveying device 400 through the second material transfer unit 500.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the cup dispensing system further includes a clamping device 1100. The clamping device 1100 is provided with at least one first clamping position. The clamping device 1100 is disposed at the liquid aspiration position 110. The clamping device 1100 is located upstream of the first stop member 800 along the transmission direction of the first conveying device 100. When the first stop member 800 blocks the sub-sample module from continuing to move, the clamping device 1100 has a clamping state and an unfolded state.

[0067] In the clamping state, the clamping device 1100 clamps and fixes the mother sample module to ensure the stability of the mother sample module during the liquid separation process and ensure the liquid separation quality. Furthermore, since the first stop 800 blocks the mother sample module from moving forward before the clamping device 1100 clamps the mother sample module, the success rate of the clamping device 1100 in performing the clamping action is guaranteed.

[0068] When in the unfolded state, the clamping device 1100 releases the mother sample module. After the first stop 800 also releases the mother sample module, the mother sample module moves to the first material transfer section 200 under the transmission of the first conveying device 100. This ensures that if the clamping device 1100 accidentally releases the mother sample module, the clamping action can be performed again under the obstruction of the first stop 800, thus improving the fault tolerance of the liquid separation system.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the clamping device 1100 includes a lifting component.

[0070] In the clamping state, the lifting component provides a supporting force along the first direction Z, away from the first conveying device 100, lifting the mother sample module away from the first conveying device 100 along the first direction Z. This avoids friction between the first conveying device 100 and the mother sample module clamped by the clamping device 1100 during operation, further ensuring the stability of the liquid surface of the mother sample module during the liquid separation process, and improving the accuracy and quality of liquid separation. It is understood that the first direction Z is parallel to the vertical direction.

[0071] When unfolded, the mother sample module falls back onto the first conveying device 100 under its own gravity, without the need for a separate reset device.

[0072] In some embodiments of this application, the lifting assembly includes a first lifting member (not shown in the figure) and a second lifting member (not shown in the figure) disposed relative to each other along a third direction Y.

[0073] The first lifting member and the second lifting member approach the first conveying device 100 along the third direction Y.

[0074] In the clamping state, the first lifting member and the second lifting member approach each other and abut against the edge of the carrier in the mother sample module near the first conveying device 100, lifting the carrier away from the first conveying device 100 along the first direction Z to ensure the stability of the mother sample tube in the carrier.

[0075] When deployed, the first lifting member and the second lifting member move away from each other, and the carrier carrying the mother sample tube falls back onto the first conveying device 100 under its own gravity.

[0076] In some embodiments, the clamping device 1100 is also disposed at the liquid discharge position 420. The clamping device 1100 is located upstream of the second stop 900 along the transmission direction of the second conveying device 400. When the second stop 900 blocks the sub-sample module from continuing to move, the clamping device 1100 has a clamping state and an unfolded state.

[0077] In the clamping state, the clamping device 1100 clamps and fixes the sub-sample module to avoid friction between the second conveying device 400 and the sub-sample module during operation, ensuring the stability of the sub-sample module during the liquid separation process and ensuring the liquid separation quality. Furthermore, since the second stop 900 blocks the sub-sample module from moving forward before the clamping device 1100 clamps the sub-sample module, the success rate of the clamping device 1100 in performing the clamping action is guaranteed.

[0078] When in the unfolded state, the clamping device 1100 releases the sub-sample module. After the second stop 900 also releases the sub-sample module, the sub-sample module moves to the second material transfer section 500 under the transmission of the second conveying device 400. This ensures that if the clamping device 1100 accidentally releases the sub-sample module, the clamping action can be performed again under the obstruction of the second stop 900, thus improving the fault tolerance of the liquid separation system.

[0079] Furthermore, the clamping device 1100 includes a lifting assembly.

[0080] In the clamping state, the lifting component provides a supporting force to the sub-sample module along the first direction Z away from the second conveying device 400, lifting the sub-sample module away from the second conveying device 400 along the first direction Z, so as to avoid friction between the second conveying device 400 and the sub-sample module clamped by the clamping device 1100 during the operation of the second conveying device 400, so as to further ensure the stability of the liquid surface of the sub-sample module during the liquid separation process and improve the accuracy and quality of liquid separation.

[0081] When deployed, the sub-sample modules fall back onto the second conveying device 400 under their own gravity, without the need for a separate reset device.

[0082] In some embodiments of this application, the lifting assembly includes a first lifting member and a second lifting member disposed relative to each other along a third direction Y.

[0083] The first lifting member and the second lifting member approach the second conveying device 400 along the third direction Y.

[0084] In the clamping state, the first lifting member and the second lifting member approach each other and abut against the edge of the carrier in the sub-sample module near the side of the second conveying device 400, lifting the carrier away from the second conveying device 400 along the first direction Z to ensure the stability of the sub-sample tube in the carrier.

[0085] In the deployed state, the first and second lifting members move away from each other, and the carrier carrying the sub-sample tubes falls back onto the second conveying device 400 under its own gravity.

[0086] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first conveying device 100 has a first conveying section 120, and the suction position 110 is disposed in the first conveying section 120. The second conveying device 400 has a second conveying section 430, and the dispensing position 420 is disposed in the second conveying section 430. In addition, the first conveying section 120 is close to the second conveying section 430 and is parallel to the second direction X. The suction position 110 and the dispensing position 420 are arranged along the third direction Y. The second direction X and the third direction Y are perpendicular to each other, so as to further shorten the distance between the suction position 110 and the dispensing position 420, thereby reducing the distance that the pipetting device 700 moves back and forth between the suction position 110 and the dispensing position 420, and thus improving the dispensing efficiency of the pipetting device 700.

[0087] It should be noted that the second direction X is the transmission direction of the first transmission segment 120 and the second transmission segment 430, and the second direction X and the third direction Y are perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0088] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the first conveying device 100 is provided with a sample identification unit 1000. The sample identification unit 1000 is located on the side of the clamping device 1100 away from the first stop member 800. The sample identification unit 1000 and the first stop member 800 are spaced apart to form a first buffer area 130. The first buffer area 130 is used to buffer the mother sample module to ensure that the mother sample module can be continuously supplied and improve the transmission efficiency and liquid separation efficiency of the mother sample module.

[0089] It should be noted that the sample identification unit 1000 is located between the first material transfer unit 200 and the liquid aspiration position 110, and the sample identification unit 1000 is spaced apart from the first material transfer unit 200 and the liquid aspiration position 110. In other words, the sample identification unit 1000 and the first material transfer unit 200 can also buffer the parent sample module to be identified, so as to ensure the continuous supply of the parent sample module.

[0090] It should be noted that the sample recognition unit 1000 can be used to obtain sample information from the parent sample module.

[0091] In this embodiment, when the mother sample module enters the first conveying device 100, the controller controls the sample recognition unit 1000 to block and recognize the mother sample module, and releases the mother sample module after recognition is completed. The controller controls the sample recognition unit 1000 to release the mother sample module, and transmits the mother sample module after recognition to the first buffer area 130 through the first conveying device 100, and limits the mother sample module after recognition is completed through the first stop member 800.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first buffer 130 can store a second preset number of mother sample modules. The controller further controls the number of mother sample modules that the sample recognition unit 1000 enters into the first buffer 130 by acquiring information about the mother sample modules that the sample recognition unit 1000 has identified and released.

[0093] For example, if the number of parent sample modules stored in the first buffer 130 is less than the second preset number, it means that the first buffer 130 can still store parent sample modules. Then, the restriction on the parent sample modules after recognition is lifted by the sample recognition unit 1000, so that the parent sample modules after recognition by the sample recognition unit 1000 can enter the first buffer 130.

[0094] Furthermore, if the number of parent sample modules stored in the first buffer 130 is equal to the second preset number, it means that the number of parent sample modules stored in the first buffer 130 has reached the second preset number. Then, the sample recognition unit 1000 limits the parent sample modules to prevent them from entering the first buffer 130. This prevents the first buffer 130 from becoming congested or the parent sample modules from getting stuck due to excessive storage of parent sample modules, thus ensuring the orderliness, smoothness, and stability of the liquid dispensing control of the parent sample modules.

[0095] In this embodiment, after the sample recognition unit 1000 completes the recognition of the parent sample module, if the number of parent sample modules in the first buffer 130 is less than the second preset number, the recognized parent sample module is released into the first buffer 130; if the number of parent sample modules in the first buffer 130 is equal to the second preset number, the sample recognition unit 1000 limits the recognized parent sample module.

[0096] It should be noted that the sample recognition unit 1000 can adopt a structure that integrates sample recognition function and limiting function, or it can adopt a split structure, that is, the sample recognition unit 1000 can include a sample recognition sensor and a limiting component, and there is no limitation on this.

[0097] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, when the clamping device 1100 is provided with at least two first clamping positions, after the sample identification unit 1000 releases the mother sample module, the controller is also used to trigger the timer to keep time.

[0098] Within the first preset time after the timer is triggered, and when each of the first clamping positions 210 corresponds to a sample module, the clamping device 1100 is controlled to switch to the clamping state, clamping at least two sample modules at the same time, so as to simultaneously separate the liquid from at least two sample modules, thereby improving the separation efficiency.

[0099] In addition, if the first preset time is exceeded and at least one first clamping position 210 does not correspond to a sample module, the controller controls the clamping device 1100 to switch to the clamping state. By controlling the first preset time, the pairing time between the first sample module that moves to the first buffer area 130 and another first sample module is not too long within the first preset time, so as to avoid wasting time and ensure the efficiency of cup dispensing.

[0100] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the controller is also used to acquire and record the identification information of the mother sample module entering the first buffer 130, and to acquire whether there is a mother sample module waiting to be grouped in the first buffer 130 before the control sample identification unit 1000 releases the mother sample module.

[0101] If there are parent sample modules waiting to be grouped in the first buffer 130, the parent sample modules waiting to be grouped are paired with the parent sample modules to be released and the sample recognition unit 1000 is controlled to release the parent sample modules so that the two parent sample modules in the group can be clamped by the clamping device 1100 at the same time, so that the pipetting device 700 can simultaneously perform pipetting operations on the two parent sample modules to improve the dispensing efficiency.

[0102] If there are no waiting parent sample modules in the first buffer 130, the sample recognition unit 1000 is controlled to release the parent sample modules and triggers a timer. If no waiting parent sample modules enter the first buffer 130 after the first preset time has elapsed, pairing is stopped. By controlling the waiting time and pairing time, the cup-dividing efficiency is ensured.

[0103] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, when the pipetting device 700 is provided with at least two pipetting sections and there are at least two mother sample modules in the first transfer device 100 that need to be separated, the controller is also used to obtain the pairing information of the mother sample modules.

[0104] It should be noted that obtaining pairing information refers to determining the pairing information of the current mother tube by whether the mother tube enters the specified aspiration position 110 within a specified time period, and based on the number of mother tubes entering the aspiration position 110.

[0105] When pairing information exists, the controller controls the sub-tube transfer device 600 to place the sub-tubes of multiple corresponding mother sample modules alternately on the corresponding carriers according to the arrangement order of the mother sample modules, so as to form multiple sub-sample modules of the corresponding mother sample modules, and controls the multiple sub-sample modules of the corresponding mother sample modules to alternately enter the second transfer device 400.

[0106] Additionally, if no pairing information exists, the corresponding sub-sample module is quickly transferred to the parent sample module at aspiration position 110. It should be noted that at this time, only one parent sample module at aspiration position 110 needs to be dispensed; the sub-sample modules do not need to be alternated, and the two pipetting units can operate independently. When only one parent sample module is being dispensed, the pipetting units can be used independently, meaning that one pipetting unit can be used to dispense one parent sample module, thereby improving dispensing efficiency, dispensing diversity, and flexibility.

[0107] It is understandable that when at least two mother sample modules enter the aspiration position 110 within a specified time, there is pairing information, and the controller is used to control the pipetting device 700 to transfer the mother samples in the two mother sample modules to the corresponding multiple sub-sample modules.

[0108] It should be noted that, taking the example of two mother sample modules at the aspiration position 110, multiple sub-sample modules are alternately introduced into the second transfer device 400 under the control of the controller. A portion of these sub-sample modules corresponds to one of the two mother sample modules at the aspiration position 110, and another portion corresponds to the other of the two mother sample modules at the aspiration position 110. Furthermore, "alternating introduction" here means that sub-sample modules corresponding to two different mother sample modules alternately enter the second transfer device 400. This allows the pipetting device 700 to simultaneously transfer samples from the two mother sample modules to the two corresponding sub-sample modules at the dispensing position 420, thereby achieving simultaneous dispensing of the two mother sample modules and improving dispensing efficiency.

[0109] In addition, when the number of parent sample modules is greater than the number of pipettes, the parent sample modules and their corresponding sub-sample modules are divided into different batches for processing based on the number of pipettes.

[0110] It should be noted that in one liquid separation process, one pipette corresponds to one parent sample module and multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to that parent sample module, and multiple pipettes correspond to multiple parent sample modules and multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to each parent sample module. First, the multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to multiple parent sample modules are alternately fed into the second conveying device 400 according to the order of the pipettes. After this batch of parent sample modules has been separated, the remaining multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to the parent sample modules are alternately transferred to the dispensing position 420 via the second conveying device 400, and then matched one-to-one with the remaining parent sample modules through multiple pipettes, dispensing the remaining parent sample modules into their corresponding sub-sample modules.

[0111] like Figure 2As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the dispensing system further includes a sub-tube preparation device (not shown in the figure), which is used to print labels and affix the labels to the sub-tubes.

[0112] In this embodiment, the sample identification unit 1000 is used to identify the sample information of the parent sample module, and the controller is also used to obtain the liquid separation information of the parent sample module based on the sample information of the parent sample module.

[0113] The dispensing information includes printing information and dispensing quantity information. It should be noted that the dispensing quantity information refers to the number of sub-samples that the parent sample module needs to dispense, and the sub-tube transfer device 600 retrieves the corresponding number of sub-tubes based on this dispensing quantity information.

[0114] Print information refers to the printing information of the corresponding sub-tube retrieved by the sub-tube transfer device 600 based on the information of the parent sample module. The printing information includes sub-tube identification information, and may also include template name or other information to be printed by the user.

[0115] In addition, the controller is also used to control the sub-tube preparation device to configure the corresponding number of sub-tubes according to the liquid separation quantity information, print labels according to the printing information, and paste the labels onto the corresponding sub-tubes.

[0116] In this embodiment, the controller is also used to control the sub-tube transfer device 600 to place the labeled sub-tubes on the carrier located at the sub-tube loading position 410 to form a sub-sample module, and to release the restriction on the sub-sample module through the sub-tube transfer device 600.

[0117] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the sub-tube loading position 410 is disposed in the second transmission segment 430, and the second stop member 900 and the sub-tube loading position 410 are spaced apart along the second direction X to form a second buffer area 440, which is used to cache the sub-sample module.

[0118] It should be noted that the length of the second buffer 440 is greater than that of the first buffer 130. This means that when a parent sample module needs to be allocated to multiple sub-sample modules, the second buffer 440 can buffer more sub-sample modules, ensuring a continuous supply of sub-sample modules, guaranteeing the smoothness of the liquid separation process, and improving liquid separation efficiency.

[0119] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments of this application, the pipetting device 700 has a first liquid absorption volume and a second liquid absorption volume, wherein the first liquid absorption volume is greater than the second liquid absorption volume.

[0120] L1 is the sum of the volumes to be separated in multiple sub-sample modules located at dispensing positions 420, corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position 110.

[0121] Understandably, when L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, the pipette 700 needs to perform at least two aspirations of the parent sample. Therefore, to ensure the pipetting efficiency of the pipette 700, regardless of whether there are subsequent sub-sample modules being transferred to the dispensing position 420 corresponding to the parent sample module located at the aspiration position 110, the pipette 700 should immediately perform the pipetting operation to ensure that some sub-sample modules are separated first. When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, the pipette 700 can still continue aspirating the parent sample, and the controller can determine the timing for the pipette 700 to perform the pipetting operation as appropriate.

[0122] Specifically, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform aspiration and dispensing operations when one of the following three conditions is met: When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and at least one sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position 110 is being transferred to the dispensing position 420, if the sum of the dispensing volume of the at least one sub-sample module transferred to the dispensing position 420 and L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, then after at least one sub-sample module arrives at the dispensing position 420, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations.

[0123] It is understood that in some embodiments, when L1 is less than the first aspiration volume and a sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position 110 is being transferred to the dispensing position 420, if the sum of the dispensing volume of the sub-sample module and L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, the controller will wait for the sub-sample module to reach the dispensing position 420 before controlling the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform aspiration and dispensing operations. This reduces the frequency of the pipetting device 700 moving back and forth between the dispensing position 420 and the aspiration position 110, thereby improving the dispensing efficiency.

[0124] In other embodiments, when L1 is less than the first aspiration volume and there are multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to the parent sample module located at the aspiration position 110 being transferred to the spitting position 420, the multiple sub-sample modules transferred to the spitting position 420 are defined as B1...Bn arranged in sequence (where n≥2), and the sub-sample module closest to the spitting position 420 is defined as B1.

[0125] If the sum of the liquid volume of B1 and L1 is greater than the first liquid aspiration volume, then after B1 reaches the liquid dispensing position 420, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform the liquid aspiration and liquid dispensing operations, so that the pipetting device 700 can simultaneously dispense the mother sample in the mother sample module into the two sub-sample modules to improve the liquid dispensing efficiency.

[0126] If the sum of the liquid volume of B1 and L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and the sum of the liquid volumes of B1 and B2 and L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, then after B1 and B2 reach the dispensing position 420, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations. That is, by waiting for B2, the number of sub-sample modules waiting for liquid separation at the dispensing position 420 is increased, so that after performing one aspiration operation, the pipetting device 700 can sequentially inject the aspirated parent sample module into the corresponding sub-sample module at the dispensing position 420, thereby improving the liquid separation efficiency of the pipetting device 700.

[0127] If the sum of the liquid volume of B1 and L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and the sum of the liquid volumes of B1, B2...Bn and L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, then after B1, B2...Bn reach the dispensing position 420, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations, so that the pipetting device 700 can simultaneously dispense the mother sample in the mother sample module into multiple sub-sample modules, thereby further improving the liquid dispensing efficiency.

[0128] If the sum of the liquid distribution volume of B1 and L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and the sum of the liquid distribution volumes of B1, B2, ..., Bn and L1 is still less than the first aspiration volume, then after all B1, B2, ..., Bn have reached the dispensing position 420, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations. This allows the controller to control the pipetting device 700 to simultaneously distribute the mother sample from the mother sample module to each corresponding sub-sample module at the dispensing position 420, thereby further improving the liquid distribution efficiency. In other words, if the sum of the liquid distribution volume of all sub-sample modules sent to the dispensing position 420 and L1 is still less than the first aspiration volume, then the aspiration and dispensing operations are performed only after all sub-sample modules have reached the dispensing position 420.

[0129] When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume and no sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at aspiration position 110 is transferred to dispensing position 420, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform aspiration and dispensing operations to avoid wasting waiting time and improve dispensing efficiency.

[0130] When L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to perform aspiration and dispensing operations, eliminating the need for waiting and improving pipetting efficiency. In other words, if the pipetting unit needs to perform at least two aspiration operations, it will immediately perform the aspiration operation when the maximum aspiration volume is achieved at least once, without waiting, ensuring that some subsample modules complete dispensing first and leave the second transfer device 400.

[0131] It should be noted that the first aspirate volume is the maximum volume that can be aspirated by the pipette in a single operation.

[0132] For example, if there are two mother sample modules located at the aspiration position 110, then the two mother sample modules at the aspiration position 110 are defined as the first mother sample module and the second mother sample module. Wherein, the sum of the dispensing volumes of the first sub-sample modules corresponding to the first mother sample module at the dispensing position 420 is greater than the first aspiration volume of the pipetting section in the pipetting device 700; and the sum of the dispensing volumes of the second sub-sample modules corresponding to the second mother sample module at the dispensing position 420 is greater than the first aspiration volume of the pipetting section in the pipetting device 700, then the controller controls the pipetting device 700 to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations, ensuring that one aspiration and dispensing operation is completed first, avoiding continuous waiting.

[0133] Additionally, in some embodiments of this application, when L1 is greater than the first absorbent volume.

[0134] If, during multiple aspiration operations, the pipette 700 aspirates at least once a smaller volume than the second aspiration volume, the aspiration volume of the pipette 700 in a single operation is adjusted so that the aspiration volume of the pipette 700 in each operation is greater than the second aspiration volume. This ensures that during the separation process, the pipette 700 aspirates a larger volume of the parent sample from the parent sample module at the aspiration position 110 than the second aspiration volume, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of the separation.

[0135] It should be noted that the second aspiration volume is the minimum aspiration volume of a single pipette application.

[0136] It should be noted that in some embodiments of this application, the pipetting device 700 needs to acquire the pipette tip first, and then perform the aspiration and dispensing operations. The first aspiration volume and the second aspiration volume can correspond to the aspiration range of the pipette tip. Therefore, by comparing the sum of the dispensing volumes of the sub-sample modules to be separated with the first aspiration volume, one pipette tip can dispense as much liquid as possible into multiple sub-sample modules, thereby effectively reducing the number of pipette tips used and avoiding waste of consumables.

[0137] In all examples shown and described herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations; therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0138] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0139] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A liquid separation system, characterized in that, include: A first conveying device is used to convey a master sample module. The first conveying device is provided with a first material transfer section, which is used to transfer the master sample module into the first conveying device or to transfer the master sample module out of the first conveying device. A second conveying device is used to transfer an empty carrier and a sub-sample module. The second conveying device is provided with a second material transfer section, which is used to transfer the carrier into the second conveying device or to transfer the sub-sample module out of the second conveying device. The second conveying device is at least partially close to the first conveying device. The sub-sample module includes the carrier and the sub-tube; the second delivery device has a sub-tube loading position and a liquid dispensing position; the first delivery device has a liquid aspiration position. A sub-tube transfer device is disposed above the sub-tube loading position, and the sub-tube transfer device is used to place the sub-tube into the carrier; A pipetting device for performing a dispensing operation, the dispensing operation including transferring a parent sample from the parent sample module to the sub-sample module, the pipetting device having at least one pipetting section; The controller is communicatively connected to at least the first material transfer unit, the second material transfer unit, the sub-tube transfer device, and the pipetting device; The controller is used to acquire the liquid separation information of the mother sample module, control the pipetting device to aspirate the mother sample from the mother sample module located at the aspiration position, and transfer it to the sub-tube of the sub-sample module located at the dispensing position; the controller is also used to control the second transfer unit to transfer the sub-sample module that has completed the liquid separation operation from the second transfer device after at least one sub-sample module at the dispensing position has completed the liquid separation operation, and control the mother sample module to remain at the aspiration position until all the sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample module have completed the liquid separation operation, after which the first transfer unit transfers the mother sample module from the first transfer device.

2. The liquid separation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid suction position is provided with a first stop, the liquid discharge position is provided with a second stop, and the liquid discharge position is close to the liquid suction position; Before the pipetting device performs the dispensing operation, the controller is used to control the first stop to block the mother sample module and control the second stop to block the daughter sample module; After the pipetting device completes the dispensing operation, the controller is also used to control the first stop to release the mother sample module and control the second stop to release the daughter sample module.

3. The liquid separation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The liquid dispensing system further includes a clamping device, which has at least one first clamping position. The clamping device is located at the liquid suction position and is upstream of the first stop member along the transmission direction of the first conveying device. The clamping device has a clamping state and an unfolded state. In the clamping state, the clamping device clamps and fixes the mother sample module; In the unfolded state, the clamping device releases the mother sample module.

4. The liquid separation system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The clamping device includes a lifting assembly; In the clamping state, the lifting component provides a supporting force to the mother sample module in a first direction away from the first conveying device, thereby lifting the mother sample module away from the first conveying device in the first direction. In the unfolded state, the mother sample module falls back onto the conveying device under its own gravity.

5. The liquid separation system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first conveying device has a first transmission section, and the liquid suction position is located in the first transmission section; The second conveying device has a second transmission section, and the liquid discharge position is located in the second transmission section; The first transmission segment is close to the second transmission segment and is parallel to the second direction. The liquid aspiration position and the liquid dispensing position are arranged along a third direction, and the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

6. The liquid separation system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first conveying device is provided with a sample recognition unit, which is located on the side of the clamping device away from the first stop. The sample recognition unit and the first stop form a first buffer area at an interval, which is used to buffer the mother sample module. When the mother sample module enters the first conveying device, the controller is used to control the sample recognition unit to block and recognize the mother sample module; After the sample recognition unit completes the recognition of the parent sample module, the controller controls the sample recognition unit to release the parent sample module.

7. The liquid separation system according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the clamping device has at least two first clamping positions, after the sample identification unit releases the mother sample module, the controller is also used to trigger the timer to keep time. Within a first preset time after the timer is triggered, and when each of the first clamping positions corresponds to one of the sample modules, the controller controls the clamping device to switch to the clamping state, simultaneously clamping at least two of the sample modules; if the first preset time has elapsed, and at least one of the first clamping positions does not correspond to the parent sample module, the controller controls the clamping device to switch to the clamping state.

8. The liquid separation system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to acquire and record the identification information of the parent sample module that enters the first buffer area, and before controlling the sample identification unit to release the parent sample module, acquire whether there is a parent sample module waiting to be grouped in the first buffer area; If there are parent sample modules waiting to be grouped in the first buffer, then the parent sample modules waiting to be grouped are paired with the parent sample modules to be released, and the sample identification unit is controlled to release the parent sample modules. If there are no waiting parent sample modules in the first buffer, the sample identification unit is controlled to release the parent sample module and the timer is triggered. If no waiting parent sample modules enter the first buffer after the first preset time has elapsed, pairing is stopped.

9. The liquid separation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the pipetting device has at least two pipetting sections and there are at least two of the mother sample modules in the first conveying device that need to be separated, the controller is also used to obtain the pairing information of the mother sample modules. When the pairing information exists, the controller controls the sub-tube transfer device to place multiple sub-tubes corresponding to the mother sample modules alternately on the corresponding carrier according to the arrangement order of the mother sample modules, so as to form multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample modules, and controls multiple sub-sample modules corresponding to the mother sample modules to alternately enter the second conveying device. The controller is used to control the pipetting device to simultaneously transfer the mother sample from at least two of the mother sample modules to the corresponding multiple sub-sample modules.

10. The liquid separation system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The liquid separation system also includes a sub-tube preparation device, which is used to print labels and affix the labels to the sub-tubes; The sample recognition unit is used to identify the sample information of the parent sample module; The controller is also configured to obtain the liquid separation information of the mother sample module based on the sample information of the mother sample module, wherein the liquid separation information includes printing information and liquid separation quantity information; The controller is also configured to control the sub-tube preparation device to configure a corresponding number of sub-tubes according to the liquid separation quantity information, print the label according to the printing information, and paste the label onto the corresponding sub-tube; The controller is also used to control the sub-tube transfer device to place the labeled sub-tube onto the carrier to form the sub-sample module.

11. The liquid separation system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sub-tube loading position is located in the second transmission segment, and the second stop and the sub-tube loading position are spaced apart along the second direction to form a second buffer area, which is used to buffer the sub-sample module.

12. The liquid separation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pipetting device has a first liquid absorption capacity and a second liquid absorption capacity, wherein the first liquid absorption capacity is greater than the second liquid absorption capacity; L1 is the sum of the liquid volumes to be separated in the multiple sub-sample modules located at the dispensing positions, corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position; The controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspiration and dispensing operations when one of the following three conditions is met: When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and at least one sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position is being transferred to the dispensing position, if the sum of the dispensing volume of the at least one sub-sample module transferred to the dispensing position and L1 is greater than the first aspiration volume, then after at least one sub-sample module arrives at the dispensing position, the controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspiration operation and the dispensing operation. When L1 is less than the first aspiration volume, and no sub-sample module corresponding to the mother sample module located at the aspiration position is sent to the dispensing position, the controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspiration operation and the dispensing operation. When L1 is greater than the first aspirated volume, the controller controls the pipetting device to immediately perform the aspirate operation and the dispensing operation.

13. The liquid separation system according to claim 12, characterized in that, When L1 is greater than the first absorption volume; If, during multiple aspiration operations performed by the pipette, the aspiration volume is less than the second aspiration volume at least once, the aspiration volume of the pipette is adjusted so that the aspiration volume of the pipette in each operation is greater than the second aspiration volume.

Images